I have heard that it's not a good idea to take too many supplements at one time, that your body has trouble absorbing more than 2 at the same time, and that you should space your supplements or medications out throughout the day because of this. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this?

I've been doing this for the past week because I do want to get the maximum benefit from my supplements, but at the same time, it makes it a lot harder to remember taking them every time. It's so much easier to just take them all with breakfast and be done with it.

Yes, I've been reading that there are certain supplements that it is actually better to take on an empty stomach. Here's an example of what I do that ties in to this topic. I take Basic #3, Essential Oils, Chromium, and a Cal/ Mag/ Pot.

Breakfast- Multi & Essential Oil
Mid-morning- Chromium on an empty stomach
Lunch- Multi & Oil
Dinner- Multi
Before bed- Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium on an empty stomach

Not sure how right this is, but I did read that Chromium should definitely be taken on an empty tummy.

I've also read on this forum that some people have a hard time with a big multi so they take a time-released capsule to better digest.

Hope this helps a tad.

Hey, folks, where did you hear/learn that taking chromium should be on an empty stomach?

The directions on mine says "preferably with a meal."

As do most of the supplements. My Tri-Zinc only says with water or a meal, but I always take it after a meal.

I take my greatest number at breakfast time, and then smaller number with lunch and dinner.

Seems to be working fine, and my theory is that you want the supplements to in digestive tract while the most active digestion and adsorption is going on in your body.

But these are mostly assumptions on my part, and following the directions on the supplement containers.

YMMV

Hello Georgia:

I have Dr. Atkin's book "Vita Nutrient Solution". In it he states:



On his website, he states that L-glutamine should be taken 30-60 minutes before meals to enhance absorption. He has some other good advice.
http://atkinscenter.com/advice/atki...upplements.html

Atkins also has a FAQ on supplements:
http://atkinscenter.com/helpatkins/...upplements.html

Didn't notice anything about the above quote on his website though.

Hope this helps.

Georgia:

I forgot to add this other quote from my book:



When I first started taking supplements, I was taking them 6 times a day. Now that was inconvenient because some of them were liquid herbs that had to be mixed with water. But, trust me, you get used to them.

The best thing is to get some form of box (with compartments in it) to hold a fair quantity of your pills (so you don't have to keep restocking). I have one box I keep in the fridge (for supplements that require refridgeration) and one box I keep in a cupboard. This makes it much easier to dole out when the time comes.

As for the chromium on an empty stomach, I've never heard of it. I did a search and it generally seems that it should be taken in the morning either on an empty stomach OR with food. Maybe Skamito can give us some more information about this. My bottle says to take one daily (no mention of either). It would be nice to find a source that goes further into this issue. The books I have are more concerned about how much to take as opposed to when to take.